Monday, August 8, 2011

Ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, 83, was flown by air ambulance from a Red Sea hospital in Sharm el-Sheik to a Police Academy located on the outskirts of the capital Cairo, early Wednesday ahead of his trial.

The former Egyptian leader faces charges of corruption and killing protesters.

Despite reports of Mubarak 'deteriorating health surfacing in the last months and fears he would try and avoid the trial, one of his lawyers Egyptian newspaper al-Ahram the former president would be present in court.

A Sinai official confirmed Wednesday Mubarak had left the Sharm el-Sheik Hospital.

Egyptians are eager to see the leader they ousted brought to justice after years of repression.

While analysts have pointed out that a conviction in the trial could carry the death penalty, many are still doubtful that the leader will be convicted.

Mubarak's two sons Gamal and Alaa, former Interior Minister Habib el-Adly and six police officials also face trial, while Mubarak's close friend and business man Hussein Salem is being tried in absentia after he fled to Spain.

After announce that the former leader would face justice, more than 750 lawyers volunteered to defend him, proving how influent the former president still is and have said they would form a human shield to protect the him upon his arrival in court, amid fears of violent clashes.

Mubarak will have 50 lawyers representing him in the courtroom, with prominent attorney Farid el-Deeb leading the defense team.

Security for the trial has been greatly increased and the other defendants are expected to be driven to the courtroom from Cairo's Tora Prison, with about 5,000 soldiers and officers backed by 50 tanks and armoured vehicles deployed along the route, the interior ministry said.

About 1,100 police officers surrounded the academy's outer fence, which was reinforced with barbed wire, the ministry said.

Thousands of pro- and anti-Mubarak activists were expected outside the building as relatives of many of the 846 people killed and 6,000-plus injured in anti-Mubarak clashes with Egyptian security forces said they will be present.

No one will be allowed inside the courtroom except 600 people with permits, including civil rights lawyers and a small number of the families who relatives were killed by the security forces have been allowed to attend as well.

Only Egyptian State TV will be allowed to broadcast the trial, officials said.

According to Deputy Justice Minister Mohammed Munie all the defendants, including Mubarak, will sit inside an iron cage, during the trial and a bed will to be made available for Mubarak if needed, the interior ministry said.